THE SUNLINE REGISTRY for Sunline VINs

[Sunline Fan]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your submission! I'm on my phone right now, so I'll get it input later when I get on my computer.

As Kitty and Steve have said, the faucet probably isn't RV specific. It may be if you have a cold water only system. The original style faucet probably isn't available. Google Phoenix faucets, because that's what Hilltop would probably carry for aftermarket parts. So if they don't show one like it, you probably won't find one. Also, if you do, be reay to buy a new faucet, as it's not worth it to most places to carry parts. I agree, checking with a small town hardware is probably your best bet. I'd take the whole faucet with you.

[Sunline Fan]

Hi Roger,

Got your VIN input. It is indeed a 1981 model, and it is verified 13' in length. There was only one 13' model that year, the 13 1/2' RD (rear door). Does yours have a rear sink and bathroom and front dinette with a door just behind the axle? If so, then that's your model number.

I have a suspicion that it was built sometime around August or September 1980, so fairly early on in the production year that probably started in May or early June. I don't have any real close units recorded, but the closest (23 before), the owner stated it was built in August.

Due to the age, I really don't have any more information for you. If you haven't yet, go download the brochure for the '81 travel trailers from the files section here. Since I don't have the complete color catalog for 1981 (that's just the spec sheet listed there), there's no 1981 floorplan. But 1982 should be the same, so you can download that one for the floorplan on the last page.

If you don't mind getting a little more info for me, that can help me agree with or dispute my thinking for the build date and help me gather some info for further entries. The first thing would be the RVIA plate number. This little plate is attached to the outside right next to the entry door. You should find the little black plate just to the left about mid way up. The numbers may be hard to see, but it should be seven digits long.

Secondly, your interior color. The interiors from this vintage weren't at all solid colors, so just pick the primary color. Popular ones so far for this age group are rust, blue, brown, red, etc.

I'm assuming you don't have an owner's book or any kind of paperwork with the trailer, but if you do, please let me know. I track some production data from the paperwork if it still exists.

Thanks,
Jon

P.S. I was just thinking about your faucet situation. Your original faucet might have been Utopia brand. I'm trying to remember what my '86 had, which would have looked very similar to yours. Either way, Utopia and Phoenix have been big players in the RV faucet business for a while. I'm not sure if Phoenix was around in 1981, but they make a lot of replacements now.

[rogindaup]

Thanks for the suggestions. Methinks the problem may be solved for the time being; 90% solved, at least. Ended up finding a stem that works (for the most part), at Hilltop RV Center in Escanaba. Also checked out Menard's (much like Lowes), & they had the same stem listed in their catalog but none in stock. Just in case, I also ended up buying a complete replacement 'bar faucet' assembly at Menards. But it looks like the valve stem from Hilltop is working - for the most part. Still some leaking but not gushing; and can turn the pump on now without having water stream outta the tap no matter if the faucet handle is open or closed. [Was NOT a good scene for a couple days!] Still thinking about just installing the new assembly from Menard's, but it looks awfully involved - trying to get water lines attached behind the tiny little sink, up under the tiny little cabinet, etc... I'm hesitant mainly because of my seemingly innate talent for making relatively simple projects quickly become huge, unmanageable tasks. Methinks for the time being we'll wait & see how the new valve stem holds.

[rogindaup]

Hello Jon,
Thanks for all the VIN-related info! ...Yes, ours does have the rear door, etc., w/ the rear kitchen galley & bathroom. Colors are kind of browns & tans (not bad!), w/ some kinda brown plaid little curtains - also not bad. The unit seems to be in pretty good shade for its age. (Except for the kitchen valve stem the dumb@$$ new owner broke, of course!) We DID get the generic Sunline Owner's Manual circa 1980 with the trailer, as well as some paperwork/manuals for the fridge, water heater, pump, power converter (I think), stove top, & awning. Quite a lot of documentation with included with it in fact. I will locate that RVIA # you mentioned & let you know. Will also do a search for Utopia & Phoenix brand RV faucets, for what its worth. The one I located at Hilltop is by Bristol ; not PRECISELY the same as the originals it turns out, but the do seem to work for now. And like I said, I'm still toying with the idea of just installing the new bar faucet job from Menards. (Guy at Hilltop said, they'd prolly charge close to 200$ to install a new faucet fixture -- just for the labor! So obviously it's pretty involved, eh?)

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by rogindaup

We DID get the generic Sunline Owner's Manual circa 1980 with the trailer, as well as some paperwork/manuals for the fridge, water heater, pump, power converter (I think), stove top, & awning. Quite a lot of documentation with included with it in fact.

Are there any loose sheets of paper with the Sunline logo on them? Those would have the information I'm looking for. Particularly a quality control certification if you see that.

Originally Posted by rogindaup

And like I said, I'm still toying with the idea of just installing the new bar faucet job from Menards. (Guy at Hilltop said, they'd prolly charge close to 200$ to install a new faucet fixture -- just for the labor! So obviously it's pretty involved, eh?)

I don't think so. Many RV dealers have a standard shop labor rate of around $100/hour, and some may have a minimum time charge for each job. Especially in a place like Escanaba- I'm guessing they don't have units lined up out the door for service like they do down here in SE MI, so they'll have to charge a little more for the convenience of the service.

I don't know how exactly the faucet on a 1981 trailer would be installed, but I can't imagine it's much different from the later ones. The ones from the '90s have PEX lines that go up to the faucets, and there's a small screw on nut with three wings to tighten it. They really are mostly hand fittings, but you may need some regular pliers loosely on there to help get it loose. It should just spin off then.

Once you get the water lines off, there's a second set of nuts that hold the actual faucet on. I'm not sure if these would be plastic or not- they are in the '90s ones. Then the faucet should pull right out of the sink.

A new faucet from Menards should hook up to the water lines. As long as you have the right spacing for the new faucet to make sure it fits in the sink, it should work fine.

I think the biggest problem you'll encounter is actually getting your hand up in there to work on it. You might have to stack some stuff up on the floor to lay on to get you at the height of the base cabinet opening so you can get your hand in there far enough.

Jon

[rusty17fla]

hi,

we are fairly new to this site and just bought a 1989 T1550 ####

do you know of any owner/user manuals for it?

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by rusty17fla

hi,

we are fairly new to this site and just bought a 1989 T1550 ####

do you know of any owner/user manuals for it?

Looking for a manual?

[rusty17fla]

thanks, I saw the other links as I was navigating the site.

Looks like a great site, we have a lot to learn about our camper so I have bookmarked this site

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by rusty17fla

hi,

we are fairly new to this site and just bought a 1989 T1550 ####

do you know of any owner/user manuals for it?

Hi Rusty,

Thanks for the submission!

If you can find the following, I'd appreciate it:
- Interior Color
- Build date from exterior VIN sticker
- RVIA plate number from oval plate near entry door on the outside.

In addition to what Steve said, check out the newly added owner's manual file with the five trailer pictures on the cover. It would have originally come with your trailer from the factory. Even though it's very generic, it will have a lot of important pertinent information for operation and maintenance of your coach.

Thanks!
Jon

[sturbill]

Hey Jon,
I just sent registry info to your yahoo account. Please let me know if you have any problem viewing any of it or you need additional info.

Bill

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by sturbill

Hey Jon,
I just sent registry info to your yahoo account. Please let me know if you have any problem viewing any of it or you need additional info.

Bill

Thanks Bill, I'll go check it.

[small camper]

Just bought 1980 Sunspot #4139780, pink trim , not for long though front seems pretty much factory, back gutted & framed in somewhat so will design & build many small bins & compertments to hold much food & cooking STUFF. frefer using Big cooler so dont need fridg.,thinking @ making fold up shelf so colman stove kan sit on that. Drawing plans and looking at pics. for ideas. Think I'll like this little camper. 12 volt sustem is still working, 1 light in caben & 1 light in back. also has 120 v. with light and fused outlet if I take a generator.

[Fibermonkey]

PM sent Jon

[mnierman]

I was given an old Sunline travel trailer with no registration and no owner's manual. Where would I find the VIN and how can I determine it's model year and obtain an owner's manual. Previous owner's brother is in another state and has not sent them.

Thank you,
Marlene